Hand-molded volcanoes erupted at the McClung Park pavilion, while decorative tiles were broken with hammers under the porch and flakes of bar soap fell to the ground in the parking lot.
That was only one morning at the Adventures in Science camp's "Search for Atlantis" week.
The maximum 48 students, who have completed first through fifth grades, come with an existing interest in science.
The camp then gives them hands-on opportunities to let their imaginations grow.
"I like science - we get to learn a bunch of stuff we didn't know about," said Callie Henson, 10.
Other Adventures in Science themes this summer are Digging Up the Past, The Mummy Returns, Great Mysteries of the World, Native American Heritage and Journey on the Oregon Trail.
Last week's "The Mummy Returns" theme captured Henson's interest, especially the mummification process of removing organs and filling the body with salt and sawdust.
"Yeah, it's gross," Henson agreed.
But gross can be cool.
Brooke Roling, 11, learned one of her favorite words from last year's deep sea-themed science camp - ooze.
"Ooze is the stuff at the bottom of the ocean," Roling said. "It's fun to say; it's a cool word, sticky, slimy and awesome."
This is the fifth summer for Adventures in Science, co-sponsored by the Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.